NBA, Yao Ming is back!

TNT Live Room.

Why was he chosen as the second overall pick?

"I'm not Sister Li!"

Hubie Brown's words immediately resonated with the others.

"This draft pick is way too high. Is Philadelphia trying to replicate their bizarre move from 93?"

Majerus said.

The bizarre move he mentioned in 1993 refers to the Philadelphia 76ers' coincidence that they also selected a tall player who was over 2.2 meters tall.

That person.

He was the second overall pick in the 93 draft.

His name is Big Bamboo Slim Sean Bradley.

This trade made Philadelphia laugh for a long time back then, after all, they had high hopes for him when they first drafted him, but he consistently scored less than 10 points per game in his first three seasons, averaging only seven or eight rebounds per game.

Philadelphia soon couldn't take it anymore.

This actually overlooks the strong rim protection capabilities that Bradley provides.

Many people may have forgotten that when he was young, Bradley averaged 3.0 blocks per game in his rookie season.

At its peak, it could even reach 4.

Until 2001, for a full seven or eight years, he consistently recorded more than three blocks.

也许光是个9+7的前三年数据，不那幺亮眼，但如果是9+7+3呢。

Not to mention that when he went to the Mavericks last year, he was already averaging nearly 15 points, 8.7 rebounds, and almost three blocks per game.

He was also the league's leading shot blocker last year.

It's just that his reputation in the league isn't very good, especially because he plays too much from the outside. And even if playing from the outside is one thing, his shooting stats—for a player approaching 2.30 meters tall—have consistently had a shooting percentage below 45%...

This naturally drew criticism.

Moreover, his true shooting percentage was less than 50% up to the 1997 season, which is why people felt he played very softly.

but.

Whether or not to be soft or not should be decided by whether or not it is successful.

You can still win the championship if you use a soft approach.

Then you're the soft one, right?

Being rigid is wrong.

Later, a white player won what is perhaps the most prestigious championship in history, and his 10-year-old "soft" strategy vanished instantly.

Therefore, overall it still comes down to Bradley. His offense is too unreliable. You can tell this by looking at his free throws; he only made two free throws in his career.

That's how destructive it is.

He's not even as tall as Boykins, who's just over 1.6 meters.

They still have at least 4+ free throw seasons ahead of them.

This guy, who is nearly 2.30 meters tall, had a career peak of 3.4 free throw attempts.

Moreover, he only had a rookie season; his performance declined more and more afterward.

He can't even beat someone who's only 1.6 meters tall. In an era when it wasn't easy to fool the whistle, and free throw power equaled lethality...

Indeed, everyone bullies her.

Last year, during his first half-season with the Mavericks, he averaged nearly 14 field goal attempts per game... and then this guy managed to put up 14.6.

On average, one point is scored per shot.

It's no wonder that despite his impressive stats, he was still heavily criticized by the entire league.

Basketball is a game for giants, but he played it so well that he became a giant in the game.

The reputation of extremely tall people in this era has been dragged down by at least ten points by him alone!

In addition, he happened to be the second overall pick, also picked by Philadelphia, and he's a tall guy who's nearly 2.3 meters tall...

How could it not evoke strange associations in people?

Looking at them together, they're just as thin as Yao Ming is now...

This gives the impression that they've matched up.

It feels like everything matches up perfectly.

History does repeat itself.

History loves to repeat itself.

Philadelphians just never learn.

……

"A 16-year-old Asian with no experience playing in a high school league in the United States, and they dare to give him the second pick... I can only say that this may be the most disastrous trade in Philadelphia's history."

"His trade makes Bradley look so good even if he had drafted him in '93."

"Bradley at least played college basketball, but he didn't even play college basketball. Putting him second overall is, I can only say, a disaster for this kid."

These three are defenders of the NCAA (National Consortium of American Colleges), and almost every high school student would say the same thing.

After all, they need to attract students for the NCAA; otherwise, all the geniuses would skip college and go straight to the NBA.

What should I do?

NCAA's revenue will be greatly affected.

Although the NCAA doesn't pay athletes any money, but...

Just because he's a coach doesn't mean he doesn't make money.

Before 2021, NCAA athletes didn't even receive a penny.

The NCAA league actually earns around $1 billion a year. Even in 1997, they earned approximately $18 billion from a seven-year contract with CBS.

Even our deputy, Peter, stated in a 2022 interview with Will Stargers that skipping college was purely for economic reasons.

Therefore, before 2021, the NCAA was a very profitable league that still forced players to work as child laborers.

But while players don't earn income, coaches can make a fortune. For example, the head coach of Kentucky can easily earn millions of dollars. If he wins a championship, his annual salary could even reach tens of millions, which is still in the millions even in this day and age.

Understanding this will help you understand why these renowned coaches so fiercely defend NCAA players and so disparage those who don't go to the NCAA.

It's still because of vested interests, what kind of bullshit basketball reason is that?

In capitalist countries, let's just talk about capital.

Don't fool yourself with fancy, high-class things.

Even Peter Vecchio, who isn't technically a head coach, was surprised by this choice.

I've been talking nonsense all day, so this is the rare time I've spoken the truth—

"I really don't understand why we have to repeat the decision we made in 93."

"Haven't Bradley taught them enough lessons?"

"I think this child has some potential, but he's only a mid-tier choice, which is already a gamble. Putting him in second place directly would be a form of torture for the child himself."

Bill Laimbeer was watching TV at home when he saw that Yao Ming had been selected second overall, and he was clearly surprised.

Jordan stared blankly for a few seconds, then laughed and said, "The NBA is still the NBA, it hasn't changed in over a decade. As long as you're a big guy, you can easily get a high draft pick."

"This kid is actually ranked ahead of me in the draft."

"Yes, we must find an opportunity to tell him properly that the third pick is the real dream pick in the NBA."

Clearly, Hei Ludan is still holding a grudge about only ranking third in 84.

Amidst this nationwide emotional turmoil, Yao Ming approached Stern.

Stern looked at Yao Ming, who had been selected so high in the draft, and his eyes practically lit up with a smile.

I almost drooled.

This isn't a giant at all!

This is practically a god of wealth!

The money and provisions for Sino-US friendship... no, I mean the bridges.

It all depends on you to forge it.

"Yao, congratulations, welcome to the NBA."

Come on.

You old man, you're probably thinking, "Eastern wealth, I welcome you."

That's really bad.

However, appearances still had to be maintained, after all, compared to the president behind him, Stern was absolutely... a god among gods.

Yes, sometimes people are afraid of comparisons.

"Work hard, Yao, and try to make the All-Rookie Team." Stern couldn't help but say a few more words. He wouldn't bother saying so much to an average rookie; a few polite words would suffice.

Quickly shake hands and take a photo next.

But Yao Ming is the key to unlocking the whole of Asia; special people deserve special treatment.

However, Yao Ming was disappointed because Stern was simply too short.

There was a lot of noise down there.

He heard it as…

"Let's try for Rookie of the Year."

Hmm.

Normally, I feel confident about winning Rookie of the Year, but after all, the Rookie of the Year award isn't usually that high-caliber.

I am, after all, an experienced person.

If you happen to be in a bad year, you could win Rookie of the Year even if you only average 11 points per game.

Yes, I'm talking about you, Mike Miller.

But wait...

This year's.

Seems to be.

That little Deng.

They say a rookie is their peak...

Tim Duncan.

This……

Uncle Si.

You think too highly of me. I'm still just a high school student.

I'm still a child.

Even at this moment, he saw a special notification flash across the panel in despair—

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; the Rookie of the Year award can be used in place of the MVP award.

This is this...

The system also joined in the fun.

Okay.

Since Stern and the system both say so.

So.

fool.

I might as well give it a try.

Don't worry, I'm only sixteen, I'm still young.

you.

Just bear with it.

"Okay, Mr. President."

"Rookie of the Year".

"I will do my best."

After speaking, they shook hands, took a photo together, and left the stage.

He went to be interviewed by Craig Seger, who was wearing a floral suit.

Ok?

What...what did he just say?

Best? Rookie?

Oh, he must have been too nervous and misspoke about the All-Rookie Team.

After all, it's this year.

Any normal rookie.

Who would even think about Rookie of the Year?

Wasn't that already awarded to someone on the Spurs team?

With that thought in mind, Stern returned to normal.

He continued to mutter that he had to do this every year, and that he would be repeating it for more than ten years.

P.S.: Just a heads up, everyone should be confident! ヽ(『⌒´メ)ノ.

Of the four great shooting guards, Kobe is still crying every day about why he doesn't sit on the bench, McGrady just joined the league, and Carter didn't even make it into the league.

There's only one Iverson; if you want to play with the top four shooting guards, he's the only one you can choose, especially considering Iverson's stats this year...

You probably wouldn't know unless you looked it up; his rookie season was actually worse.

They scored one or two points less.

There were fewer rebounds and fewer assists.

He's a player named Xiao Ai who averages 22 points per game.

Why would anyone think of going over to be his assistant? Everyone needs to change their mindset and be more confident. It's just data; if you handle things well, who knows who will be assisting whom?

Don't think you should play second fiddle just because you see Iverson. This year's Iverson is even weaker than last year's...

We all need to step up and strengthen ourselves, right? Little Ai, if you call his name, he usually just says—

I'm here.